Writing is a mysterious business. It's a lot of smoke and mirrors; living with imaginary people, crazy Google searches and staying in my head a lot. My imaginary friends talk loudly to me sometimes and too quietly for me to hear at others.

A new rose for a new year. Gorgeous, isn't it? I'm not sure what rose this is - I think it might be Peace, which, if so, is the perfect rose for me coming into 2022. What about you?

I'm not one for maths. Which makes writing a really good profession for me! And, you would think there isn't any maths at all, tapping out words on a keyboard. But this is a myth! I've been told a few times that the only way to make good decisions is to base it around facts.

As you can see, my whiteboards are beginning to fill up with ideas, character descriptions and a few other things.

Last week, I wrote about needing to write two books at a time to make my deadlines. I was getting involved with NaNoWriMo to help do this.

Tuesday is the D-Day. Deception Creek Publication day.

Ugh. I'm nervous. I always get nervous when a book comes out - you'd think it would get easier, but it doesn't. I have a need for you readers to like my characters, like my story and basically like everything about the book!

I’m often asked what it takes to write a book. Having finished my 19th novel about twelve hours ago, I reflected on the question, whilst sitting on the patio with a wine, screaming: ‘thank god that’s done!’.

So, I compiled a list.

I'm often asked what my office looks like. Usually, it's too messy for me to take a photo - I'll have research and papers all over my desk, so it's all at my fingertips as I write.

This morning, when I woke up, my first thought was about writing. (Actually, it was about coffee, then writing).

I needed to write in my journal, and I needed to write my next book.

Happy New Year, everyone! Three days in already.

Have you started to reassess your life, write down those New Year's resolutions?

I've always told my kids that "if we don't share our stories, then how can we help people?"

I love the 'new feels' of starting a new book. It's exciting, fun, and the possibilities are endless. Trouble is, those feelings don't always hang around.

When I was on tour for WITHOUT A DOUBT, I came across this blue door (pictured on the computer screen). I was sitting in a narrow alleyway, drinking coffee (because I'm a bit like Detective Dave and nothing happens in the morning until I've had my coffee), when I saw it.

Have you ever wondered what happens the morning after a novel gets finished?

Screenshot of a laptop that has words on it, the end of a manuscript says THE END.

'So, Fleur, tell me, do you write every day?'

'Where do you work from?'

'Oh, you have a deadline? Really? Thought you'd just write and hand it in when it was ready.'

I often get asked what my office looks like - or where I work, which is pretty much the same question! The first thing I did when I got my new office was print off quotes that inspire me - that make me continue to want to achieve and try to get better.

I've been thinking about re-inventing my blog for some time, and now that time is right here. I used to love writing blogs - they would get my fingers all warmed up for writing during the day, and I LOVED sharing photos and little stories of my farming life with you all.